Gospel Flat Farm 2013

Sunday August 18, 2013

  

Mickey Murch, Proprietor, Gospel Flat Farm and Farmstand, Bolinas, CA

The artists had a wonderful day visiting Bolinas, California and the farm and farmstand of Gospel Flat Farm.  Proprietor, Mickey Murch, and his extended family were on hand to greet artists as they were picking produce and bringing it directly to the 24 hour farm stand.  Behind the farmstand is a gallery; the art space hosts a variety of artists, ranging from baby music classes to gourmet dinners and progressive art exhibits.

Airy, Open Art Gallery behind the Gospel Flat Farmstand

A fresh harvest of Basil and salad fixings

Cabbage Patch at Gospel Flat Farms, Bolinas, CA

All smiles!  Artist, Daphne Wallace Gerlach

The fog cleared to reveal Bolinas Ridge in the back ground and a sunny and bright glow of colored stripes emerged in the fields.  Thank you to the Murch family for letting us enjoy this amazing day with you!

This was the greatest attendance day of "Art on the Farm" artists in recent history, and there were several new artists from the North Bay Plein Air group on site as well.  A few in attendance were Larry Bryson, Donna Solin, Catherine Moreno, Diane Lewis Hull and her husband, Mark Monsarrat, Catherine Fasciato, Daphne Wallace Gerlach and many more.  Here are a few photos of the day, with more to come!

A Plein Air artist from San Francisco, Catherine Fasciato (catherinfasciato.com)

A 6 inch painting in progress by C.Proppé

Gorgeous, ruby red gems... Click to view this image in detail.

Two bees share a sunflower in the field.

  

Zucchini Blossoms from Gospel Flat Farm Stand

Cow Track Ranch: July 29, 2012

We had a fantastic day at Liz Daniel's "Cow Track Ranch" in Nicasio.  It was the day after a gorgeous wedding had taken place, and many of the decorations and flowers were still in place.  Liz was so accommodating, and we were still able to visit all the nooks and crannies of her property.

I stopped at Nicasio Cheese Company on my way over, and purchased my lunch: a cooler of cheese, crackers, and drinks to enjoy through the early evening.  While I was there, an entire family of cyclists had stopped in for a break.  They were training for the Marin Century that took place the last weekend in August.  I hope they enjoyed it!

There were over 20 artists out at Cow Track throughout the day this year.  This is one of the best spots to visit because it is easy to get to and there are so many unique things to paint.  Holsteins, Long-horn cattle, rolling hills, old tractors and barns, a pond, lots of gardens and plants, rock outcroppings and more.

Photojournalist and blogger, Ann Brooks, has written a terrific post on her day there too!  Please click here to view Ann's photos of the day, including this one of West Marin's, Sharon Skolnik-Bagnoli, painting watercolor sketches.

Our next visit is August 19th, Creekside Gardens.  We have another visit in August at the Lunny Oyster Farm.  Please visit our Schedule to learn more about these outings for artists.

Art on the Farm Weekly... Fresh Run Farm

At Fresh Run Farm, owned by Peter Martinelli, beets, kale, collards, and chard grow alongside flowers, strawberries and potatoes on two bowl-shaped plots ringed by wild blackberry bushes. These bushes are heavy with fruit by midsummer and become just another of the many products that Peter purveys. There are also chickens, goats, plenty of dogs and even a few alpacas on the farm. In addition to growing over 40 kinds of fruit, vegetables and flowers, Peter also collects nettles, mushrooms, watercress and other treats from the wild.

Tractor with Goats
Originally uploaded by cproppe

Sunday, September 14, 2008

I drove out to Bolinas Sunday morning just in time to catch Peter Martinelli, driving off to a family reunion. He welcomed the artists to his farm in a secluded spot off Horseshoe Hill Road. I was greeted first by the sheep on the way in, and over the hill was a large field, full of colors of the season.




The sunflowers were definitely the most photogenic , but the goats win for friendliest. It was a nice day, and I visited with Larry Bryson, this year's Art on the Farm organizer, before several other artists arrived in the afternoon, including Maude from Bolinas, with her well-loved artist chair. Sorry I don't have a photo of that rusty relic, but it was quite charming.

To view my photostream from Fresh Run Farm, click here


To contact Peter at the Farm:

Fresh Run Farm
Peter Martinelli
P.O. Box 237
Bolinas, CA 94924
email

Art on the Farm Weekly... Little Organic Farm

Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Art on the Farm group spent the day at Little Organic Farm, owned by David Little, on Tomales Rd. in Petaluma, between Tomales High School and the Coast Guard Station. David's primary crop is potatoes. He grows over 30 varieties. David also grows winter squash, strawberries, melons, onions, lettuces, corn and tomatoes. Text below and Photos by plein air artist, Donna Solin
Donna writes:
"The day started out beautiful. The sun was shining and it was quite warm. We had the opportunity to view grazing cattle, big and small sunflowers,
ripe tomatoes , bolting lettuce and wonderful strawberry rows.

I realized the weather was not going to last. I chose to paint one of the many building sites with some of the wonderful big trees sheltering them."

To visit Donna's website, and learn more about what she painted this week, please visit: http://www.donnasolin.com